The Brooks Bandits don't rebuild, they reload, and Michael Douglas is happy to provide more firepower.

The 19-year-old defenceman has left the Chatham Maroons after two seasons to play for the reigning champions of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

“Coming here really is an honour and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to prove myself every day,” the Windsor native said.

The Bandits were finalists last season at the RBC Cup, the Canadian junior 'A' championship. Thirteen players on that team committed to NCAA Division I schools.

They've won four of the past six AJHL titles and were RBC Cup champions in 2013.

The Bandits' winning culture and history of scholarship players lured Douglas to Brooks.

“I don't think they do rebuilding years here,” he said. “And the team is hosting the RBC Cup next year (for the 2018-19 season). That's another reason the program stands out.”

The six-foot, 175-pound Douglas said his style should fit in well with the Bandits' system run by head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou.

“Ryan really likes an offensive system that's firing from all positions,” he said. “Jumping into the play and always being a threat is what he looks for, and that's something I pride myself on being able to do.”

Douglas began the 2016-17 season in the North American Hockey League and played four games with the Amarillo Bulls before returning to Chatham, where he had three goals and 24 assists in 36 games.

He had three goals and 22 assists in 45 games as a Maroons rookie in 2015-16.

Douglas looked into other teams after last season, but the Bandits were always his No. 1 choice. He attended their off-season prospects camp, which drew scouts from NCAA and U Sports schools.

“I know nothing is guaranteed out here, obviously,” he said. “There's hundreds of kids who want this spot. But, that being said, I'm going to do everything I can … to not only be the best player I can be but help the team win as much as possible.”

He feels some pressure joining such a successful team.

“There is that aspect, but at the same time I try to look at it as almost a privilege,” he said. “Having that pressure and using it as motivation and being one of the pieces the team is using to win games drives me to come to the rink and try to win every day. It's a very exciting opportunity for me.”